Summer is here: are your ‘toys’ protected?

With the weather getting warmer, people everywhere are bringing out their favorite summer “toys,” including RVs, boats, motorcycles, and ATVs.

Unfortunately, you cannot assume that your part-time vehicles are properly insured under an existing auto and/or home insurance policy. And rather than just adding these substantial investments to another policy, it’s better to look for policies designed specifically for each one.

motorhome insurance

Insurance coverage for recreational vehicles, such as travel trailers, motor homes, fifth wheels, and truck campers, offers protection that ordinary auto insurance does not. Here are some reasons to consider RV insurance in addition to your auto insurance policy:

• Roadside assistance: Even if your auto policy covers some road expenses, it may not cover towing that big, heavy RV, leaving you to foot the bill.
• Financial Protection: Insurers that offer RV coverage often have claims representatives who know how to look for specific RV damage, including specialized RV parts like awnings, slide-out ladders, and appliances.
• Personal Property Protection: Your “home away from home” probably houses things you wouldn’t keep in your car, like camcorders, laptops, and jewelry, which may not be covered by an auto policy.
• Protect your investment – RVs are expensive! It is better to have “full replacement cost coverage” to ensure full payment if the vehicle is beyond repair, rather than a refund based on current market value.

boat insurance

Don’t assume your shiny new boat is covered under your homeowners policy. A ship is, to all intents and purposes, a moving vehicle. As such, you need coverage similar to an auto policy, including protection for:

• bodily harm that your ship inflicts on others.
• Damage to property your ship inflicts on docks and other ships.
• Physical damage to your ship, in case it hits something or runs aground.

You’ll also want to consider comprehensive coverage against theft, vandalism, fire, and flood; personal property coverage for fishing gear and other items; uninsured boater insurance (such as uninsured motorist insurance) and even “boat assistance” in case you need a trailer.

motorcycle insurance

Motorcycle insurance is essential, and just like car insurance, the price can vary depending on the type of bike you ride. In other words, insuring a high-performance sportbike often costs more than covering a lesser-powered motorcycle, scooter or moped.

The components of a comprehensive motorcycle policy are also similar to auto coverage, including collision insurance (to cover damage to your bike as a result of an accident), comprehensive coverage, bodily injury liability coverage, property damage liability coverage, uninsured motorist insurance, and roadside assistance. .